Why is it important to start good puppy care on day one?
Sometimes day one for your puppy is a pretty stressful day. They've just left their mom and their litter mates and they're going to a new place, so it's important to assess their health before they're more stressed. We can see if there's anything we can do to help that transition be smoother.
Dr. Mandy Britt
Crazy Mountain Veterinary
How soon should I bring my puppy in to see a veterinarian for their first exam?
In general, we like to see them within the first couple of weeks just to see if there's anything that needs to be addressed. Any congenital issues or any health issues that we need to address right away. Some of that will depend on which vaccines they've gotten from the breeder and what care they've gotten from the breeder or the shelter that you picked them up from, but in general we like to see them in the first couple of weeks.
What are the most common health problems in puppies?
Most puppies are very healthy, so it's not common to see a lot of health problems. Some of the things that we are concerned about are viruses that they can pick up, like parvo or distemper, or certain parasites that they're not ready to handle. If they're having vomiting, diarrhea, or are underweight, those are things we're looking out for in that first visit. Occasionally, we'll see some skin problems, but most health checkups on puppies are just fun because they're healthy and happy. Those are the things we're looking for.
What are some signs and symptoms of illness in your puppy?
Generally, puppies are going to be bright, alert, inquisitive, eating, playing, and napping. If you notice that they're not wanting to eat, having diarrhea or vomiting, if their belly looks swollen, if they have sores on them, or if you think they're a little too thin, those would all be things to call us about. We can get a health check done on them soon.
When should I start training my puppy?
This is pretty breed and dog variable, but you can start the day you bring them home with little things. I usually tell people it's like potty training a kid or training a toddler; don't expect too much. Every dog is different with their attention span, but generally, a puppy won't have an attention span beyond a couple of minutes until they're about three to six months old. Start with simple things like sit, come, and shake, but nothing too advanced until they're a bit older. For potty training, you can start as soon as you get them home, but have realistic expectations of how long they can go and how much control they'll have until they're a little older.
What will my vet be looking for when first examining my puppy?
Generally, when a puppy comes in, we're going to do a full head-to-toe exam. We'll look in their eyes, check their teeth and mouth, make sure their gum color is nice and pink and wet, and ensure their body condition is good. Sometimes little puppies will have a worm load, so they'll have a big distended belly, and we'll look for that. We'll also check for hernias on their belly and check their hips and knees for abnormalities. Additionally, we'll listen to their heart and lungs, as occasionally puppies are born with heart defects that cause murmurs. Most of the time, these are mild, but it's something we like to know about in that first checkup. Generally, it's just a wellness check to make sure everything looks and sounds good. If you have any questions regarding your puppy's care, please give us a call. We're here to help.
If you have any other questions, please give us a call at (406) 632-4327. You can also email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we are able. Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram